The confidence of a seasoned faith

1 John 2:13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. 14a. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. As I did yesterday with what John wrote to the little children, I’m combining the verses written to the fathers. Regardless of where we are in our spiritual growth, we can draw encouragement from these verses. If you are young in your faith, then as you continue to grow, you can expect John’s encouragement to become yours by experience. As your faith is seasoned with a lifetime of walking in love with Jesus, you too will know Him more intimately and fully. If, like me, you have walked with Jesus for decades, then these words will resonate with you and bring great encouragement. Let’s keep in mind that John cited two realities about those who know God. They keep God’s word and obey it, and they love their brothers and sisters in Christ. We who have a lifetime of obedience and love know that Jesus is God and has been God from the beginning of creation and human existence. This means we are grounded in Him who does not change. We have security and confidence because we have learned, believed, and practiced living the reality that Jesus is life—eternal life. We understand what Paul meant when he wrote to in Galatians 2:20. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” The life that dwells in us and in whom we abide and receive life is our hope of glory. He is the great “I Am”, the ever existent God of heaven and earth. We know now that no one or nothing can separate us from our Father’s love nor take away our purpose for living, namely, to love with Him as long as we have life and breath. This is the confidence of fathers (and mothers) in the faith. Are you encouraged by John’s words? I hope so.